Good Morning, Friends!! Thank you, Jesus, I am alive and well for another day and another chance to glorify you in all that I do!
So, I overheard a couple at Wal-Mart yesterday complaining that they still carry 'Duck Dynasty' merchandise. They were upset and going on and on about how 'that man doesn't like the blacks and the gays so I am not buying his stuff'
Are we really still talking about this? Yes, it seems that some of society hasn't moved on just yet. Now, I am not going to get on any soap boxes this morning but before I move on to the rest of this post I would like to say this: If you have read the ENTIRE article that got every one in such an uproar you will see that the writer twisted and skewed Phil's words. The writer himself has the filthiest mouth I have ever seen; and when you look at the direct quotes there is NOTHING in them that shows any kind of hatred from Phil toward any type of people. His words have been twisted and cut up into bits and pieces to be used for whatever agenda is on the table at the time.
This should be a great lesson to the rest of us Christians out here. We are under a microscope. We are under a lot of scrutiny. And it is only going to get worse before the end times and the second coming. Being a 'Jesus Freak' has lost all it's coolness guys. The rest of the world thinks we are crazy, or over-zealous, or backwards or behind the times... we aren't up with the rest of society. But that's ok... we know we are following God's word. We are staying true to the gospel, we are spreading hope and love and Jesus as much as we can and there will be some 'haters' out there. Keep your heads up... our Father IS coming back for us. But in the mean time... could we do better?
Phil and his family are on the biggest microscope of all, people are watching, and the enemies are just waiting for one little slip up to use against him. Recent events prove that the enemy will use ANY thing he can against us. He will twist things around until he gets what he wants. We have to be very careful. We have to be very diligent in our lives. I need to be reminded of this about every 5 minutes once I step out of bed in the mornings. But today I want to leave you with a bit of scripture that will help us remember how we must behave as Christians in order to be the best witnesses for Christ that we can be.

"You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. ² Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
³ Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
⁶ Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. ⁷ In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness ⁸ and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
⁹ Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, ¹⁰ and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
¹⁵ These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you." Titus 2:1-15 NIV

Let's try to stick together, prayer for one another, and stand firm in the teachings of the Bible. I need all the help I can get to maintain self control at times. But if we practice these things we won't give the enemy any ammo to use against us. They will have to tell lies in order to trap us and in the end they will look like fools. Trust in the Lord, he will guide and protect us! Have an awesome and blessed day friends!